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A garage door has many parts that all work together and make the door work. Understanding the parts of your door will help you know when one of them stops working. One of the most important parts of a garage door is a spring.

Understanding how the springs work isn’t a hard idea. The team here at Sevan Locks and Doors replaces springs every day. We have a helpful guide on understanding how the springs work and when to replace them.

What do Springs do on a Garage Door?

The springs are the key component that allows your door to open and close automatically. A spring looks like a long coiled tube and which can find on either side of your door. They’re usually attached above where the door opens.

The springs connect to the cables that are on the door’s bottom corners. The springs unwind when the door opens and coil up when the door closes. They store the energy your door needs to open and close many times a day.

Is it Dangerous to Replace Your Own Garage Door Springs?

Since the door opens many times a day, the springs eventually wear out and need a replacement. Even if you have the knowledge to replace your own springs, many professionals recommend that you hire an experienced technician to help you. Replacing garage door springs is very dangerous and requires heavy lifting.

This heavy piece of equipment can easily fall and cause injury to you or a family member. We encourage you to contact your local garage door company for help in replacing the springs. They’ll also help you troubleshoot any issues you’re having with them.

Should I Replace Both Springs?

Most systems usually have two springs installed above the opening of the door. If one of the springs breaks, the other one will probably break very soon. It’s a good idea to just replace both of them at the same.

Replacing both springs will save you time and money later on. The great thing about having two springs is that you have extra support for your door. Keep in mind that replacing both springs will cost a little extra but you’ll have peace of mind and a safer system.

How Long Do They Last?

Manufacturers make garage door springs very durable. The springs do the job of holding up heavy doors so they need to last a long time. In fact, springs usually last anywhere from 7-15 years depending on how often you use them.

Most springs last an average of 9 years if your door opens more than 4 times a day. Of course, if you use your door more than that, the spring lifespan will be shorter. There are other ways to take care of the springs and stretch their lifespan.

What You Can Do

You can help your springs last longer by scheduling regular maintenance and inspections. Your local experts will come out and make sure there aren’t any gaps in the springs. During these checkups, technicians will apply lubricant to keep rust from building up.

Moisture creates rust and creates damages to the springs. When you’re in your garage, take a few minutes every month to look at your springs. If you notice rust, call your local company right away.

Call Us Today

We hope this guide helps you understand a bit more about garage door springs. The team here at Sevan Locks and Doors would love to hear from you and help you with your garage door needs. We have some friendly customer service staff and other technicians to answer your questions, so call today!